Description

A backyard ultra is a
deviously simple race. Runners just have to complete a
4.1667-mile course within a one-hour cutoff. And then do that
again at the end of that hour. And again the next. And
again. There's no limit on how long the race might be, (neither
time nor distance). The race continues as long as there are
multiple runners still on the course. The only way to finish the
race is to complete the course when no other runner can.

There can be at most one finisher (and winner), while every other
entrant is a DNF (did not finish).

The fastest runner won't necessarily win this race. And mental
strength is every bit as important as physical strength. How long
can you keep moving? If you fight hard enough to earn a DNF at a
backyard ultra then you may have truly found your limit. If you
win, you might still be wondering.

Details

Location

The 2020 Banana Slug Backyard Ultra will take place
at Champoeg
State Park at 8239 NE Champoeg Rd., St. Paul, OR 97137, (about
25 miles south of Portland) along the beautiful Willamette River.

Dates

The 2020 race was originally scheduled to start on April 18 but is
currently postponed and the replacement date is yet to be decided.

The race will start precisely at 7:00 with all runners present
attempting to complete a 4.1667-mile course before 8:00 AM. Then
at 8:00 AM, another loop will be started. This will continue until
there is a loop where only a single runner is able to complete the
loop within the time limit, (or, perhaps until there's a loop with
no finisher).

Given this format, it's hard to predict when the race will
end. Runners should come fully prepared to run through the night,
(bring reflective clothing, headlamps, and extra batteries).

Course

The race uses a lovely system of trails at Champoeg State Park.
The loop course follows a single-track trail through trees and
along the river with scenic views. The final portion of this
4.1667-mile loop is on a paved bike path.

This same trail course will be used for the first 12 hours of the
race. At 7:00 PM the race will switch to the night course which is
entirely paved, (both bike path and a road that is closed to
vehicles at night). The race will switch back to the trail course
at 7:00 AM the next morning and continue switching back and forth
between these two courses every 12 hours until the race is
complete.

Check-in and Camping

Camp sites are available to runners that select the camping option
during registration. Camping fees are included in the
registration. Race-packet pickup and campsite setup will be
available at 6:00 PM on Friday the night before the race. Those
who are not camping will be able to pick up their race packets the
morning of the event at 6:00 AM.

We should have some time for good socialization Friday night at
the camp site, and we will plan to do a course walkthrough for
anyone who would like to preview it.

Amenities

Champoeg Park has restrooms and showers available. A restroom is
accessible very near the beginning of the race course on every
loop (day or night).

For any time that runners have available between loops, we have a
large, covered pavilion available with picnic tables. If runners
wish to bring personal supplies (such as camp chair, cooler,
duffel bag) there will be room to store all of those under the
covered pavilion. These items and the pavilion will be easily
accessible during "interloopal" periods (as the pavilion is
immediately adjacent to the start/finish line).

The race will provide an aid station at the start/finish pavilion
with water, Tailwind Endurance Fuel, and fruit (bananas of
course!). No aid stations are provided along the course, (but of
course, you'll be returning to the start regularly). Runners are
encouraged to bring preferred food and beverage as needed for an
endurance race.

Registration fees

Your registration fee (paid in advance here on the website)
includes participation in the race itself as well as camping,
day-use, and parking fees (for one vehicle) for the state
park. So, do not pay any additional fees when entering the park!

Any spectators driving their own vehicles will need to pay
the standard $5 fee for day-use parking.

Supporting

A portion of the proceeds from the race will be donated
to Pacific Northwest Search and
Rescue, a local all-volunteer non-profit organization
dedicated to providing Search and Rescue assistance for people who
are lost or injured out of doors.

Rules

Starts

Each loop starts precisely at the top of the hour with the ringing of a cowbell

Any runner not in the starting corral at the bell is eliminated

All runners must start at the bell (no late starts)

Warning whistles will be given 3, 2, and 1 minutes prior to the start

Loops

Once a loop starts, no runner can leave the course (except for restrooms)

No non-competitors are allowed on the course (some public may be encountered)

No personal aid can be given during a loop

No artificial aids are allowed (including trekking poles)

Each loop must be completed within an hour to be counted

Slower runners must allow passes

Winner

The winner is the person who completes a loop that no other runner completes

All others are technically DNF

If there is a loop that no runner completes, there is no winner

Registration

Registration is currently closed since the 2020 race has been
postponed due to COVID-19 and we are waiting until we can
establish a replacement date.

In the meantime, you may fill out the form below to add your name
to a waitlist. When registration reopens, we will first contact
participants on the waitlist to give them the first chance to
register.

First Name

Last Name

Name or nickname (to be published on roster/results)

Before adding your name to the waitlist, we'll collect a bit
more information to be used for any future registration.

T-Shirt size:

Will you camp the night before?

Email address

Phone number

Address

City

State

Zip code

Waiver and Release

I know that running a race is a potentially hazardous
activity. I should not enter and run unless I am
medically able and properly trained.

I understand that this event includes both paved and
unpaved sections with hazards that may include uneven
surfaces, tree roots, loose rocks, wet areas, and steep
drop-offs near the trail.

I understand the event continues into the night hours
and entails running in the dark. I will bring and use
all necessary clothing and gear to both see and be seen,
(reflective vest, headlamp, extra batteries, etc.), or
will not be allowed to continue in the dark.

I release the organizers of this event from all claims
arising out of participation in this event. I assume all
risks associated with participation including falls,
contact with others, the weather, and traffic or course
conditions.

I grant permission to use my name, photographs, or
recordings of this event for any legal purpose. I grant
permission to race management to remove me from the
event at any time solely at their discretion.

Minors accepted only with a parent or guardian's
signature.

I understand I will be required to sign a waiver at check-in
in order to participate in this race.

History

The Backyard Ultra was invented by Lazarus "Laz" Lake who has been
hosting Big's
Backyard Ultra in his own backyard (and with his dog, Big) since 2011.

After Johan Steene won the race in 2018 (68 loops, 283.33 miles) a
number of "affiliated" and "Golden Ticket" backyard ultra races
sprang up all over the world. The winner of any golden ticket
race wins automatic entry into the next Big's Backyard Ultra.
However, only a limited number of finishers from affiliated
backyard ultra races will be granted admission to Big's, (those
who complete the most loops will be considered first).

In 2019, after Maggie Guterl (60 loops, 250 miles) defeated
golden ticket winners from all over the world, Carl Worth was so
captivated by the race format that he wanted to try one
himself. But after noticing that there is no existing backyard
ultra in Oregon, (and apparently nobody from Oregon has ever
entered Big's Backyard Ultra), he decided he'd have to organize a
backyard ultra for Oregon. So the Banana Slug Backyard Ultra was born.

Contact us

If you have any questions about this crazy race, or if you would
like to volunteer to help make this race a success, please don't
hesitate to email Carl Worth <carl@slug.run>